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Extra Strength Ginkgo Extract provides the potent combination of flavonoids (mainly flavone glycosides) and terpene lactones isolated from the leaves of Ginkgo biloba. The ginkgo tree is a plant model of longevity as it can thrive for up to 1,000 years while withstanding environmental elements. It has been cultivated in China as a sacred tree for thousands of years, with its traditional health uses dating to as early as 2800 B.C.

The major flavonoids isolated from ginkgo leaves are kaempferol, quercetin and isorhamnetin. The main terpene lactones are 20-carbon derivatives referred to as ginkgolides A, B, C, J and M.

Whole-Body Support Against Free Radicals

The cell membranes that make up most of the substance of all our cells are susceptible to oxidative damage from harmful free radicals. Cell membranes consist of double molecular layers of lipids ("lipid bilayers") that are especially prone to free radical damage via "lipid peroxidation." The free radical toxins that can cause such damage arise both from external and internal (metabolic) sources.

Free radicals are chemically reactive because they possess unstable electron patterns. Oxygen free radicals are especially reactive and are formed naturally by the mitochondria present in all our cells. As the mitochondria use oxygen to make energy from our foodstuffs, they invariably generate oxygen radicals. Our cells use antioxidant nutrients from our foods, along with antioxidant enzymes made within the cells, to scavenge free radicals and thereby prevent their causing damage. Research has shown that consuming antioxidant-rich supplements can help neutralize free radicals and other potentially toxic substances. Many researchers also believe that dietary antioxidants promote healthy aging. The flavone glycosides from Ginkgo biloba leaf extracts are powerful antioxidants that may aid the body in fending off reactive free radicals.

Enhances Memory and Brain Capacity

Researchers worldwide have been assessing dietary antioxidants for possible benefits to memory and brain function. There is substantial evidence for positive effects of Ginkgo biloba leaf extract on awareness, attention and other mental performance. Ginkgo consumption is associated with brain benefits in both young and elderly persons.

As early as 1985, a one-year clinical trial evaluated ginkgo for mental performance in 112 males and females aged 55-94 years. Participants were administered 120 mg Ginkgo biloba leaf extract daily, and various tests were performed at set intervals. Positive, statistically significant changes were seen for short-term memory, attention/awareness, and mood soon after the consumption of ginkgo began; the beneficial effects continued as the study progressed.

In a randomized, double blinded, placebo-controlled trial, 60 volunteers aged 57-77 years were randomly divided into 3 groups, one of which was administered 120 mg Ginkgo biloba leaf extract daily. The individuals were examined at set intervals for a 12-week period; similar to other studies, researchers reported improved awareness and cognitive performance. In another randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial, researchers found that in individuals aged 50-75 years, Ginkgo biloba leaf extract at 80 mg per day for 3 months promoted both memory and attention compared to baseline (initial) values. The group that received ginkgo also showed superior benefit in psychomotor functions (association between cognition and movement).

Other studies involving healthy young adults reported improvement in attention with the daily consumption of Ginkgo biloba leaf extract.

Supports Healthy Mitochondrial Function

The mitochondria within all our cells are enclosed within double layers of membranes. The mitochondria maintain a negative electronic potential across these membranes, and this "membrane potential" function is crucial for them to carry out their normal rates of energy production for the cells (in the form of ATP, adenosine triphosphate). Free radical and other oxidative toxins can generate an "oxidative stress" that can undermine mitochondrial potential and result in reduced ATP production. An in vitro study (using cells in culture) found that Ginkgo biloba leaf extract stabilized both mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP levels when cells were oxidatively stressed with nitric oxide, a highly reactive free radical. This finding opened the possibility that ginkgo might help protect mitochondrial function in intact cells.

Supports Healthy Nerve Cell Function

Nerve cells transfer information through chemical and electrical signals, and these are the bases for everything that happens in our brains. Ginkgo biloba leaf extract can support these fundamental brain activities by supporting mitochondrial function and consequently benefiting the energetic activity and overall efficiency of the nerve cells.

Researchers investigated the effect of ginkgo on information processing in healthy individuals. In a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial, 50 healthy young men and women completed a 30-day trial in which either 120 mg Ginkgo biloba leaf extract or placebo was consumed daily. Consumption of the extract increased the speed at which information was processed, suggesting that ginkgo may support memory-related processes even in young healthy persons. In a recent randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial, Ginkgo biloba leaf extract was shown to enhance the working memory of 19 individuals aged 50-61 years old.

Promotes Circulatory Health for an Active Lifestyle

The circulatory system provides blood flow throughout the body, to accommodate optimum cellular energy generation for healthy metabolism and function. Both the flavonoids and the ginkgolides in Ginkgo biloba leaf extracts are thought to influence blood properties that support healthy capillaries as well as a healthy circulatory system.

A vigorous blood flow is essential to providing the highly dynamic human brain with the high levels of oxygen and other nutrients it needs for healthy memory and other functions. In a recent clinical trial of 9 healthy elderly men, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed that 120 mg of Ginkgo biloba leaf extract taken daily for 4 weeks promoted a modest but significant increase in brain blood flow.

Blood flow provides the extremities with oxygen and nutrients to feed the muscles and other organs that also support a healthy, active lifestyle. In a 6-month randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial, researchers found that the daily consumption of 120 mg of Ginkgo biloba leaf extract significantly supported walking comfort tolerance and distance compared to placebo. In another randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial, researchers assessed Ginkgo biloba leaf extract for the microcirculation by measuring oxygen pressure in the skin of individuals aged 44-73 during periods of exercise. Ginkgo dramatically promoted blood flow, as compared to placebo.

Supports Healthy Vision

Healthy vision relies on optimal blood flow and oxygen supply to the optical nerve. In this regard, by supporting healthy circulation ginkgo has the potential in turn to support healthy vision. A recent publication reported that long-term consumption of 160 mg of Ginkgo biloba leaf extract by 42 individuals helped to support visual functions. In a retrospective study of 103 individuals consuming Ginkgo biloba leaf extract for one year, ginkgo was also found to promote healthy visual function.

About Doctor's Best

Doctor's Best produces products with the highest quality raw materials available on the market. They have direct control over and are an integral part of every aspect of product production, from formulation and raw material sourcing to finished product manufacturing. We directly purchase all active ingredients used in our products and use only the highest quality ingredients.

Every product is thoroughly researched and backed by the latest scientific studies conducted in the field. The formulations reflect the amounts of ingredients shown to be beneficial based on the results of scientific investigations. Doctor's Best uses patented, trademarked ingredients backed by scientific studies and clinical research. They never use insignificant quantities to enhance the label.

Doctor's Best directly purchases only the highest grade raw materials from proven and reputable suppliers to be put into product formulations. All raw material suppliers go through their stringent vendor qualification process, which includes a multi-step investigation including all aspects of the production and handling procedures, to insure the highest level of quality is reached.

* [1] Note: Unless otherwise noted, this product has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Our natural products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.